Living in La Mesa
Living in Placitas
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Living in La Mesa
All of us desire that La Mesa be an attractive neighborhood characterized by good neighbor relations and a high quality of living. The La Mesa Homeowners Association Board of Directors and the Architectural Control Committee can help in certain ways, but they can’t be effective without the support, cooperation and consideration of all our residents. Following is a brief explanation of the responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Architectural Control Committee.
Important Documents for Each Homeowner
Each homeowner should have a copy of the “Articles of Incorporation”, “By-Laws” and “Comprehensive Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions” (CC&Rs). Each owner should also have a copy of the La Mesa “Architectural Control Committee Supplemental Rules”. These are all available under “Forms & Publications”. Please contact the HOA President [email protected] if you need paper copies of these documents.
Architectural Control Committee (ACC)
The mission of the La Mesa ACC is to uphold the Conditions and Restriction (CC&Rs) and the Architectural Control Committees Supplemental Rules in a friendly and respectful manner that allows reasonable improvements while affording protection for neighboring properties and the La Mesa community.
If you are planning an improvement or replacement project on your property, the ACC encourages you to review the latest CC&RS and Supplemental Rules and/or call one of the ACC members to determine what action you may need to take. In many cases of replacement an email notification will be adequate. You can also review the CC&Rs and Supplemental Rules in the Forms & Publications section. Please feel free to contact any member the ACC to help clarify any questions you may have.
Although not intended to be a complete list, the following is a brief guide of the project types requiring ACC approval/notification prior to starting:
- Re-stucco or paint house or trim
- Re-roofing
- New outbuilding
- New or replacement windows
- Replace or repaint exterior gate, garage door or entry door
- Solar System installation
- Ramada, pergola, deck, patio, portal addition or extension
- Hot tub, swimming pool, etc.
- Fence or wall – new, replacement, extension or change of type
- Remodel or addition, such as replacing windows or room( s) addition
- Exterior lighting
- Removal of any native trees
Contact ACC: [email protected]
Notices to the La Mesa Community
Official communications from the LMHOA Board and ACC are posted on the bulletin boards located next to each grouping of mail boxes. When you get your mail, please check these bulletin boards. Note: These bulletin boards were erected for the exclusive use of official notification purposes. Any other materials, especially advertisements, will be removed.
Neighborhood Watch
We have a somewhat informal La Mesa Neighborhood Watch. Some points to consider:
- If you hear a house or car alarm or see anything suspicious, call 911.
- Get to know your immediate neighbors.
- Have at least one “house buddy” who can watch your house when you are away.
- Try to keep your house looking secure such as keeping garage doors closed, stopping newspaper delivery when you are away, etc.
Dogs
Please carry a plastic bag with you when you take your dog for a walk.
Any calling cards left by your dog are either on someone else’s property or on the roads where we all like to walk. Don’t be offended if a neighbor hands you a plastic bag and asks you to pick up after your dog if you failed to do so. You must keep your dog leashed (or under voice command) to prevent it from running loose on other people’s properties (as well as to keep it safe from the local coyotes). Leashes are required on open space land, it’s the law.
Nuisance barking should be reported to the pet owner or Sandoval County Animal Control. Please help your dog be considerate of the neighbors.
We live in the high desert around a lot of wildlife. Please consider getting rattlesnake vaccines for your fur babies. It just might save their lives.
Outdoor Lights
One of the benefits of living in La Mesa is the night-time view of the stars. Outside lights should be shielded or screened so that lightbulbs are not visible from neighboring property. Motion detector lights should be monitored to make sure they don’t turn on with the wind. Landscaping lights should have a minimal visual impact as seen by your neighbors. Spotlights or floodlights are not to be used for upward lighting.
The Sandoval County Zoning Ordinance, which was approved by the Sandoval County Commission on November 11, 2010, includes new outdoor lighting regulations, that apply to all of Placitas. These are in Section 9 (2.7) D. 5:
5. Outdoor light fixtures shall comply with the following:
a. Fixtures shall be shielded such that light rays emitted by the fixture are projected at 45 degrees from a point on the fixture where light is emitted.
b. Where used for security purposes, or to illuminate walkways, equipment yards and parking lots, only shielded outdoor light fixtures shall be utilized.
c. Fixtures shall be required to have all light focused downward.
d. Exterior lighting shall be shielded in such a manner so that it does not shine onto any adjoining residential properties.
e. Outdoor light fixtures shall be limited to sixteen (16) feet in height.
f. All non-conforming lighting installed prior to the effective date of this Ordinance shall be altered or replaced in order to conform within two (2) years.
Water
The La Mesa Water Cooperative was established to supply water to both Sundance Mesa and La Mesa. The Coop regularly sends newsletters to its members to keep them informed about important issues. Since water here in the desert is a critical commodity, use your water responsibly, and avoid a high increase in your monthly bill by checking for leaks.
All houses have a “smart” water meter which lets you see your water use, down to the hour, on a website called EyeOnWater or a smartphone app. You can set an EyeOnWater alert to get an email or text message if there is a steady leak. Regularly (at least every few days) check EyeOnWater to make sure that your water use is what you intend. If you don’t use a computer or smart phone, you can ask someone else. Some people have their adult child watch their EyeOnWater, even from California or Illinois. See the Smart Meters page for more information.
Recreational Vehicles
Because of their large size and the degree to which they block our beautiful long-range views, all RV’s must be garaged or stored elsewhere. If you plan on hosting guests who have an RV or if you want to park your RV briefly beside your house as you stage it for an upcoming trip, the ACC will grant temporary permission to park an RV on your property.
Contact the ACC: [email protected]
Satellite Dishes
Dishes should be concealed as much as possible to prevent their being an unpleasant visual to the neighbors including those who may have a house overlooking your property. Work with the installers to make sure the position of the dish minimizes its view by other property owners.
Firewood
Please keep firewood out of sight in enclosed areas or behind courtyard walls. While a homeowner may not see their own firewood, the firewood pile may be a most unwelcome sight to a neighbor. Also, be aware that a pile of wood is an attractive habitat for snakes and especially pack rats.
Dead Trees
Unfortunately dead trees can be a refuge for bark beetles that spread to and kill live trees. Remove dead trees promptly. Please don’t throw dead trees into the arroyos. This is not only unsightly but will promote the infection of other trees. Since burning is dangerous and usually requires obtaining a permit from Sandoval County Fire Marshall, it is recommended that you either cut up the trees and put them in the trash or take them to the Sandoval County Landfill (see Burning in Placitas for more detail about the landfill).
Juniper Parasites
Here is a short document that Sandy Liakus Pilcher, Sandoval County Master Gardener (SCMG) made for us: True Mistletoe Infection of Juniper Trees
Living in Placitas
Emergency Services
For fighting fires, meeting medical emergencies, and providing other services Placitas relies upon the Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade (PVFB), a Sandoval County agency. PVFB is comprised of local volunteers and provides emergency assistance in a 45-square-mile area. PVFB is always looking for responding and support volunteers.
If you are interested in helping them, please call (505) 867-5080.
Code Red
Burning
Burning in this dry and windy climate is very dangerous and you can be held liable for damages caused by a fire that escapes your control. To find out the latest information regarding burning restrictions call (505) 867-4581 (The Sandoval County Communications Center) and press 2 to hear the recorded message of the current Open Burning Advisory for Sandoval County.
Almost any type of burning requires a permit. For additional information about obtaining a permit and learning about the current ordinances call James Maxon at (505) 867-0245 at the Sandoval County Fire Marshal’s Office. An alternative for getting rid of weeds and dead trees is to put them in large garbage bags and place them in your refuse containers or take them to the Sandoval County Landfill (505-867-0816) located in Rio Rancho at 5501 Idalia Road NE (just west of Highway 528 and 1.7 miles south of the intersection of Highway 528 and SR 550). The Landfill is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Post Office
The small and friendly post office for zip code 87043 is located in Placitas at 652 Highway 165 (505-867-3460). The hours are 7:30am to 4:30pm. Monday through Friday and 7:00am to 11:00am on Saturday.
Another post office is located conveniently close by in Bernalillo at 147 Calle Del Presidente.
Recycling
The Sandoval County Landfill (2708 Iris Road NE, Rio Rancho) accepts most recyclable material (cardboard, plastics, metal, etc. for free), as well as green waste (at a low cost, but they only accept cash). Albuquerque has bins for glass and recyclable material throughout the city, such as the southwest corner of the Cottonwood Mall parking lot.
Reflective House Numbers
Sandoval County requires that you display a reflective red and white house number in a position that is clearly visible from the road. Otherwise, it is very difficult to find and identify houses at night. If an emergency vehicle is trying to find your house, a reflective house number literally can be a life saver. As you have probably noticed, when driving around Placitas some houses can be difficult to find even in the daytime. They may be hidden from the road and a number by the front door will be of no use if your house can’t even be located. Thus, a reflective number placed next to the road (on a stone, piece of wood, fence, etc.) is essential.
You can obtain these reflective numbers free of charge from the Placitas Fire Brigade. Since the fire station is not normally staffed, call the non-emergency number: (505) 867-5080. Make sure you and your family can be found in case of an emergency.
Sandoval County
Placitas is located in Sandoval County, and the county seat is Bernalillo. In July 2010, most of the County offices (County Manager, Assessor, Treasurer, County Clerk, and Planning and Zoning) moved out of the Courthouse building (771 Camino del Pueblo) and into the new County building at:
1500 Idallia Road, Building D
(adjacent to the Judicial Complex at Hwy 528 & Idalia)
Voting
Before you can vote for the first time after you have moved, you must register with the Sandoval County Clerk. This can be done at an office of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department (perhaps at the same time you’re obtaining a driver license or registering your car) or at the Sandoval County Clerk’s Office in Bernalillo. You can also call the Bureau of Elections (867-7574) and have a registration form mailed to you to be filled out and mailed back. After registering to vote, the Bureau of Elections will mail you a Voter Information Card.
Before voting, see articles published in the local papers about the candidates running for office as well as the issues that will be on the ballot in the next election by looking for the following district numbers applicable to Placitas voters.
| US Congressional District | #1 |
| State Senator District | #9 |
| State Representative District | #22 |
| County Commission District | #1 |
| State Board of Education District | #4 |
| Local Board of Education District | #61-3 |
| Public Regulations Commission District | #3 |
1500 Idallia Road, Building D
(adjacent to the Judicial Complex at Hwy 528 & Idalia)
Libraries
The Placitas Community Library moved into its new building at 453 NM 165 in May 2010. This library is run by local volunteers only. If you are interested in participating please call them directly at 867-3355.
The Town of Bernalillo Martha Liebert Public Library, located behind the Bernalillo Town Hall at 124 Calle Malinche, Bernalillo, is available to all Placitas residents. Phone is 867-1440.
The Albuquerque / Bernalillo County Library System is available to all New Mexico residents, and has libraries throughout the area.
The Rio Rancho Public Library is available to all New Mexico Residents and has two locations:
| 755 Loma Colorado Drive NE Rio Rancho, NM 87124(505) 891-5013 | 950 Pinetree Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124(505) 891-5012 |
Universities
The University of New Mexico (UNM) has a large and wide ranging Division of Continuing Education. Call (505) 277-2527 for information and a catalog of courses.
Automobile Registration, Title and Driver License
Both auto registration and driver licenses are available from two convenient offices of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division: In Bernalillo at the Town Hall (505-867-5171) and in Rio Rancho at 4110 Sabana Grande – one block north of Southern Boulevard.
Auto Registration: In order to register your automobile in New Mexico you will need your present title, present registration, your driver license and proof of insurance.
Driver License: For information call 1-888-683-4636.
Casa Rosa Food Pantry
This outreach program of Las Placitas Presbyterian Church opened August 30, 2008. It provides assistance to families in Placitas in an effort to eliminate hunger in our beautiful Village of Placitas. It is open 9:00 AM to Noon every Saturday, and is located in the pink house east of the Presbyterian Church. Donations needed are non-perishable food as well as personal care items.
The Arts
The Placitas Artists Series presents nine concerts each year in the Las Placitas Presbyterian Church. Each concert includes a juried show of four different visual artists and a reception.
The Placitas Studio Tour is held each year on Mothers Day weekend. Fifty Placitas artists open their studios to the public.
Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association
Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ES-CA), established in 2011, monitors local, county, and state activities and report those activities to its members. When major issues and candidate positions that may affect our community are identified, the association’s non-partisan positions are determined by electronic polling of members, and an appropriate response is implemented.
Plants and Gardening
Our arid climate and high altitude takes some adjustment for those used to gardening in other parts of the country. In addition to your neighbors, you can get some excellent help from:
- Sandoval County Master Gardener Program
Hotline: (505) 867-2582 - Sandoval County Extension Office
711 S. Camino del Pueblo - New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service: Yard and Garden
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (www.abcwua.org) publishes an excellent document, Xeriscaping: The Complete How To Guide. You can get a copy at the Sandoval County Extension Office, 711 S. Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo.
Rattlesnakes & Pets
Here is a very useful brochure, “Rattlesnake Bite Prevention and Treatment for Your Pets“.